Is private school cheaper in Austin or New Orleans?

New Orleans has lower average private school tuition at $11,800/year vs $15,500/year in Austin. That's $3,700/year less, or $48,100 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing New Orleans over Austin?

Average tuition in New Orleans is $3,700/year less than Austin. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $48,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,400/year in Austin, $7,600/year in New Orleans.

How do Austin and New Orleans private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Austin averages $15,500/year ($3,150 above average). New Orleans averages $11,800/year ($550 below average).

Private School Cost: Austin vs New Orleans

New Orleans averages $3,700/year less for private school (31% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $48,100 per child.

Bottom Line

New Orleans is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,800/year vs $15,500/year in Austin. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Austin

$15,500

avg tuition/year

$3,150 above national avg

New Orleans

$11,800

avg tuition/year

$550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Austin	New Orleans	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,500/yr	$11,800/yr	+$3,700
Religious Schools	$9,400/yr	$7,600/yr	+$1,800
Independent/Prep	$28,200/yr	$22,000/yr	+$6,200
Elementary (K-5)	$12,800/yr	$9,600/yr	+$3,200
Middle School (6-8)	$15,500/yr	$11,800/yr	+$3,700
High School (9-12)	$19,200/yr	$14,600/yr	+$4,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Austin

$201,500

New Orleans

$153,400

Choosing New Orleans saves $48,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $96,200.

Sample Schools

Austin

St. Andrew's Episcopal School (Austin)

Independent · PK–12 · $32,800-$35,400/yr

Austin Preparatory School

Catholic · 6–12 · $14,200/yr

St. Michael's Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,800/yr

Hyde Park Baptist School

Christian · PK–12 · $13,400-$15,200/yr

New Orleans

Tulane-affiliated University Schools

Independent · PK–12 · $21,400-$23,800/yr

Jesuit High School New Orleans

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,400/yr

Ursuline Academy (New Orleans)

Catholic · 6–12 · $13,200/yr

Brother Martin High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Full Austin breakdown → Full New Orleans breakdown →

Texas private school costs Louisiana private school costs

Related Comparisons

Houston vs Austin → Dallas vs Austin → Austin vs San Antonio → Austin vs Raleigh →

About This Comparison

This comparison uses NCES Private School Universe Survey data, adjusted for metro-level cost-of-living differences. "Average tuition" blends religious schools (Catholic, Christian) and independent day/prep schools. Religious schools typically cost 60-70% less than independent schools in the same city.

Grade-level estimates (elementary, middle, high) are derived from the city average using national grade-level multipliers. High school tuition typically runs 15-25% above the city average; elementary runs 10-20% below.